#one of the worst experiences of my life and nearly ruined a friendship. sure permanently altered one. anyways.

[rimouskis]

is there anything more terrifying than driving and realizing a driver near you is clearly under the influence, driving erratically and unpredictably

[bookoftheironfist]

Iron Fist Week: Day 4

A Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship: Danny and Luke

    Of course, I’ve talked about them a lot on both this and my other blog, but I don’t think I’ve written a post specifically focused on Danny and Luke’s Netflix-verse relationship-- which is a relationship that means a lot to me and is, of course, extremely significant in the comics. I also wanted to be sure to highlight Luke because his show was cancelled too. The loss of both Luke Cage and Iron Fist is heartbreaking, but in some ways, it almost feels right that they would go out together. Ideally, Netflix will now take the same action that Marvel editorial did in the 70s, and rescue the two franchises by combining them into one series. But no matter what happens, I will forever cherish the fact that we got to see this dynamic duo on-screen at all. 

    There is a long and noble tradition of superhero relationships being forged in conflict. In the comics, Luke and Danny’s first interaction is a knock-down, drag-out, building-wrecking brawl that cements a mutual respect and understanding between them. The Neflix shows’ budget restraints prevented an exact replication of this, but MCU Luke and Danny still meet in the midst of emotional turmoil and misunderstanding. Danny is suffering from all-encompassing trauma and self-loathing following the apparent destruction of K’un-Lun. Luke has just been released from prison, and is processing the pain of being unable to help Candace Miller’s rapidly dwindling family. And both bring out the other’s worst fears. When they meet in back of the Chaste hideout, filled with bodies of the recently-dead, Danny likely assumes Luke is the Hand warrior who did the deed. The difficulty Danny has in subduing him is merely a reminder of his weakness, his perceived failure as the Iron Fist. Luke sees Danny as a privileged aggressor attacking a boy he’s trying to protect-- a symbol of an unjust system that ruined his life and is now threatening his neighborhood. 

    Both are on edge and in pain, and are unable, initially, to understand each other through that pain. Even after Claire vouches for them and brings them together, Luke in particular is unable to see Danny’s side of the equation. Danny and Luke’s differences have always been a key part of their relationship, and as painful as their initial disagreements are in this universe, they work to cement their surface-level differences in order to lend further power to the similarities they discover later. 

    But of course, first they need a bonding team-up! This fight is awesome. They’re not friends yet, but neither can deny that they work well together, and they even manage some banter. Having each other’s backs in this way prompts them to trust each other, even if they don’t necessarily like each other yet. And trust is a big deal, especially for Danny, who was betrayed by nearly everyone he met in Iron Fist Season 1. That experience has made him more wary of forging personal connections, but he is still desperately in need of companionship. Thus, he latches onto his new superhero friends-- and Luke in particular. 

    And then they get another chance to talk. While Luke is still wary, Danny is eager to get to know him better, and the little reflexive grins they throw at each other throughout this conversation are very funny. In the midst of all of the chaos, they start to at least grow comfortable in their disagreements with each other, clearly enjoying themselves in spite of everything. Luke, the more cynical of the pair, insists that their connection will end when the mission does. But there are nice little indications throughout this conversation that this is a beginning rather than an ending.

    They continue to grow closer through little hints and gestures. There’s a great moment later in this scene when Alexandra tells Danny to submit to her or she will kill the others. Danny hesitates, not wanting to put his new friends’ lives in jeopardy... and then Luke gives him a little supportive nod, communicating to him that he should reject her anyway. And the writers make a point of having Luke and Danny show noted concern for each other throughout the rest of the show. 

    And then it all goes to pieces when Luke agrees to tie Danny up. This is a horrible, frankly traumatic experience for Danny, since it digs into all of his recent pain. He is being prevented from doing his job as the Iron Fist, risking failing New York the way he feels he failed K’un-Lun. He is being prevented from having his revenge on the Hand, which is the only way he will be able to achieve closure for what happened to his home. And he has been betrayed, yet again, by people he was foolish enough to trust-- Luke in particular, with whom he thought he was actually becoming friends. He’s alone again, helpless, furious. But Luke makes a small gesture of friendship in this scene that, I feel, is one of the most important moments in their developing relationship. 

    Luke listens to Danny. He doesn’t at first, and he is unfairly mean to Danny throughout this show-- but it’s not just him. The degree to which everyone is skeptical of Danny’s story makes sense, but after a while it shifts from being funny to cruel. Danny has just lost his home, and to have that home scoffed at endlessly by his supposed allies is painful to watch. It is evident how this affects Danny-- in Iron Fist Season 2 he even starts pre-empting it. There’s a moment when he’s discussing Shou-Lao with Ward, and he immediately follows it up with an offhand “I know, dragons, right?” because he’s so used to being laughed at. He desperately needs to talk about K’un-Lun in The Defenders as a way of processing his grief, and instead he’s met with scorn. And Luke too, in this scene, initially makes fun of him. But-- and this is important-- he then sees that Danny has been hurt, and he changes his behavior. He reaches out. He allows Danny to talk, and sincerely engages in conversation with him. It’s a small gesture, but in the context of the show, hugely significant.  

    With a shaky foundation having been laid in The Defenders, we then jump ahead to the magical tenth episode of Luke Cage Season 2. This time, Danny is here to help Luke, offering him life advice that has been directly informed by his own journey. 

    (Iron Fist Season 1, anyone?)

    This episode is a pure joy, partly because it does not pick up where The Defenders left off. As much fun as it would have been to see every second of this developing relationship, it’s even more fun to skip over all of the hurdles and dive right into the Power Man and Iron Fist dynamic we all know and love. These guys have been hanging out off-screen, and it shows. They are fully comfortable with each other, hugging and fist-bumping and bantering without any indication of early-relationship awkwardness. They have a special handshake. They comment on each other’s mannerisms. They have pre-rehearsed fight moves. 

    Finally, they have found mutual strength in their own differing life experiences, their distinctions enhancing their bond and allowing them to help and learn from each other. And of course, they kick epic amounts of butt together. Both are opposed to making money off their superheroing in this universe, so Heroes for Hire feels out of the question, but some kind of permanent team-up seems all but inevitable in this episode. 

    I’m in grief over the possibility that we may never see them together in this way again, or that it will be a small cameo in another show and nothing more. There are so many cool Power Man and Iron Fist stories waiting to be brought to live action (yes, including Danny taking Luke to K’un-Lun). But again-- I’m tremendously grateful for what we have. A huge thank you to Finn and Mike for being the perfect Danny and Luke and making my geeky dreams come true.